RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif., Nov. 24, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- UTi Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq:UTIW) today announced the appointment, effective December 1, 2003, of C. John Langley, Jr., an influential authority in the areas of global logistics and supply chain management, to its board of directors, increasing the board to nine members. He will immediately become a member of UTi's audit committee.
Dr. Langley, 57, is a professor of supply chain management and director of supply chain executive programs for The Logistics Institute at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also participates in programs of The Logistics Institute-Asia Pacific, located in Singapore. Previously, he served for nearly three decades at the University of Tennessee, most recently as the Dove Distinguished Professor in logistics and transportation. While at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Langley co-founded three organizations that have helped to shape the development of the industry: the Center for Logistics Research, the Supply Chain Forum and the Office of Corporate Partnerships.
"We look forward to benefiting from Dr. Langley's keen insights on our industry," said Roger I. MacFarlane, UTi's chief executive officer. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our board as we move toward becoming a global integrated logistics provider for more of our customers. His current areas of concentration, including global supply chain strategy, third party logistics and applications of information technology in logistics and supply chain management, will provide additional guidance as we enhance our infrastructure to deliver even greater competitive advantage to our customers' global supply chains."
Dr. Langley is a former president of the Council of Logistics Management. He has co-authored three major industry texts, including Third Party Logistics: Views from the Customers, an annual study conducted to identify key trends and issues relating to the use of outsourced logistics services by customers in North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific and South Africa. He has been published in the Journal of Business Logistics, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, International Journal of Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management Review.
Dr. Langley currently serves on the board of Averitt Express, Inc., and is an advisor to ChainConnectors , an Atlanta-based supply chain advisory firm. He is a former director of Landair Transportation, where he served as chairman of the audit committee.
Dr. Langley earned his B.S., M.B.A. and Ph.D at Penn State University in mathematics, finance and business logistics, respectively.
About UTi Worldwide
UTi Worldwide Inc. is an international, non-asset based supply chain management company providing air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage and other logistics-related services. The company serves a large and diverse base of global and local companies, including customers operating in industries with unique supply chain requirements such as the pharmaceutical, apparel, chemical, automotive and technology industries. The company seeks to use its global network, proprietary information technology systems, relationships with transportation providers and expertise in outsourced logistics services to optimize the operation of its customers' global supply chains.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this news release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company intends that all such statements be subject to the "safe-harbor" provisions contained in those sections. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, the company's discussion of its growth strategy. Many important factors may cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any such forward-looking statements, including the company's ability to become the primary logistics partner to its customers, the company's ability to deliver competitive advantage to its customers' global supply chain, increased competition; integration risks associated with acquisitions; the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates; changes in the company's effective tax rates; industry consolidation making it more difficult to compete against larger companies; general economic, political and market conditions, including those in Africa, Asia and Europe; risks of international operations; the success and effects of new strategies; disruptions caused by conflicts, wars and terrorism; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although UTi believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by UTi or any other person that UTi's objectives or plans will be achieved. The historical results achieved by the company are not necessarily indicative of its future prospects. UTi undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.